President Barack Obama is en route to Israel.

President Obama holds a press conference on budget sequester
President Obama (White House via YouTube)
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This is his second trip to the Middle East as U.S. commander in chief. His first trip to the region came shortly after assuming office in 2009.

U.S. officials have set expectations low for the trip.  They have presented the president's visit to Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan as symbolic.

Obama will be joined by Secretary of State John Kerry. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem said Kerry was set to arrive Tuesday, a day before Obama. The embassy gave no details on Kerry's schedule Tuesday, but Israeli officials said no meetings were scheduled.

 

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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